Lift carrying ministers breaks down in Kerala Assembly complex

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Three ministers of the Kerala cabinet had a narrow escape after a lift carrying them fell down at the state Legislative Assembly building here today.

None of the lift occupants were injured in the mishap, sources said.

State Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty, Public Works Minister V K Ebrahim Kunju, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob and some of their staff were on the lift when the incident occurred.

The ministers were leaving the Assembly after the house adjourned, paying tribute to eminent jurist Justice V R Krishna Iyer who passed away in Kochi yesterday.

Anoop Jacob said the rope of the VIP lift broke and landed on the second cellar of the complex without stopping on the ground floor where the elevator was to stop.

"We got into the lift from the first floor. Though we were supposed to get down at the ground floor, the lift fell down steeply, generating jerk and sound," he told PTI.

"Though it was for a few seconds, it was really an anxious moment for all of us. Only when the lift was opened, did we realise that we had reached the cellar of the complex. Though none of us had any injuries, we suffered body pain due to the jerk when the lift fell down," he said.